72 DR W. S. BRUCE, MR A. KING, AND MR U. W. WILTON ON THE 



degree examinations — with credit. Subsequently he was an observer at the summit 

 and base, Ben Nevis Observatory, and was put in charge of, and was responsible for, the 

 initiation of the observatory at an altitude of 2200 feet — a position half way between 

 the summit and the base observatories. Before his departure with the Scotia he 

 received special instruction in hydrometer work with Mr Buchanan and Mr King 

 in Mr Buchanan's laboratory in Edinburgh. On board the Scotia Mr Wilton sub- 

 mitted his observations to Mr R. C. Mossman and to Dr Bruce, who checked them 

 from time to time by counter observations. These check observations in every case 

 compared most favourably with Mr Wilton's. Mr Wilton's observations may there- 

 fore be taken as absolutely reliable. 



The collection of the water samples and the recording of temperatures and the 

 general conduct of the concurrent work on the scientific bridge was undertaken by 

 Dr Bruce, with the assistance of Dr J. H. Harvey Pirie, who handled the Lucas 

 sounding machine ; the late Mr Allan Ramsay or Mr Gravill, first and second 

 engineers, who handled the special high-speed winch ; * and in turn one of the 

 three mates of the Scotia, namely, Mr John Fitchie, Mr Robert Davidson, or 

 Mr Robert MacDougall. Captain Thomas Robertson handled the ship during 

 the operations, while Dr Bruce was in such a position on the flying platform of 

 the forward scientific bridge as to be in sight and hearing of Captain Robertson 

 on the nautical bridge, the engineer at the winch, and Dr Pirie at the sounding 

 machine, while one of the mates was with him at the flying bridge. During these 

 operations Mr Wilton was on the main deck, and the door of the laboratory was 

 here just below the scientific bridge. Consequently, as soon as Dr Bruce recorded 

 a deep-sea sample on the bridge his reading of the temperature was checked and 

 recorded. He then emptied the contents of the deep-sea water-bottle into the 

 special bottle which Mr Wilton had in readiness for its reception, and thereafter 

 Mr Wilton duly labelled it and put it in the place definitely assigned to it in 

 the laboratory. So systematic was this arrangement that when Dr Bruce gave 

 the order, or rather expressed the wish, that a deep sounding and physical observa- 

 tion should be taken, everybody was in his right place and knew exactly what was 

 required of him without any delay or confusion — the crew cheerfully assisting 

 and showing increasing interest in the work. The only regret is that a vessel so 

 well fitted out for deep-sea research in any part of the world, and a body of chosen 

 men who had become such adepts at the work, should not be able to keep together 

 permanently for further research. Alas ! the ship had to be sold, and scientists, 

 officers, and crew scattered, never again to continue work that they had faithfully 

 and ably carried out during almost two years ; and it ought to be mentioned 

 for Dr Pirie and the officers and men who assisted on the scientific bridge in all 



* Vide special description, "Scientific Equipment," "Scotia" Reports, vol. i. It is interesting to note that this 

 winch has been subsequently used on Sir Douglas Mawson's expedition, and is at present being used on board 

 the Aurora by Sir Ernest Shackleton, to which two expeditions Dr Bruce has been glad to lend it. 



